What a Program is Like
Your professional education will be a purposeful mixture of clinical education and classroom learning. Your coursework will include content in examination, diagnosis, and intervention of a wide variety of health conditions - both on the field and off; prevention, health promotion, and wellness; using data and research evidence to inform practice; and health care administration.
You’ll also gain clinical experience working with real patients while supervised by athletic trainers and physicians. These clinical experiences are incorporated throughout the program, usually starting soon after the program begins so you’ll get plenty of hands-on opportunity. The experiences are arranged by your program and typically include multiple practice settings and a wide variety of patients. Clinical education allows you to take what you learned in the classroom and apply it in the real world, whether on the field, court, track, or maybe even the stage. You will quickly learn to always expect the unexpected.
Paying for School
Once you're admitted to an Athletic Training program, you can expect to spend most of your time studying, attending classes, and participating in clinical experiences with real patients. You won't have much time to work, so it's important to think about funding before you even apply. If you're eligible for federal student aid, you may be able to pay your tuition and fees with government-backed loans or grants.
Private loans are also an option, but you'll need a good credit score to qualify. Depending on your age and financial circumstances, you may also need a cosigner. Scholarships are another potential funding source. Start searching early to ensure you have enough time to submit your applications. Institutional representatives can be helpful in identifying financing options.